Gay Directors

Yesterday, I wrote about gay performers. Today, I’m going to shift gears to look at a complete different aspect of the entertainment business- movies. Whatever we think of the power of gays in front of the camera, there is no doubt that gays do have influence behind the camera. No place is that power more important, one could argue, than in the role of director. The director, if you follow film theory, is the author of the films that we see. They are the voices that makes a movie homophobic or groundbreaking cinema. I decided to jot down some, but by no means, all of the directors with interesting work.Gregg Araki (aka enfant terrible)

I met him once in West Hollywood. Alexis Arquettewas on stage in drag as Eva Destruction. His movies have always been weird. My friends love them. I am always left wondering “huh?” But, I can’t deny his impact. Queer cinema’s enfant terrible. With movies like Mysterious Skin, weird or not, he’s shown a staying power. He has a new movie called Smiley Face that seems completely different for him.

He is known for a fat drag queen, big hair, a suburban housewife serial killer and many other out there, but fun movies. I want him. Seriously, what’s not to like? This is a guy who some might call a trailblazer, but I simply think of as a dirty man. As mentioned early, he’s busy with other projects. The new project may be wonderful, but, I’m hoping that he will get back behind the camera as a director soon.

I don’t know Spanish. I do know a Spanish directing god when I see one. His name is Almodovar. From Volverto Bad Education to Law of Desire, he’s put a mark on world cinema. If I have the career he’s had, I will thank my lucky stars. He’s not afraid of gay themes, but what his films are truly about are the women. Penelope Cruz and other great female actors are wonderful in his films. It’s not like male actors have all faired poorly in his movies. Antonio Banderas probably owes his career to Almodovar. It’s just that it’s the women you remember.